The Indian music industry suffered a true loss yesterday with the demise of Lata Mangeshkar, aged 92, due to multiple organ failures. This news left the entire nation in shock and the Centre declared two-day national mourning in the memory of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Observing this mourning period, the Tricolour will fly at half-mast for these two days and all official entertainment programmes have been halted. 

Remembering the renowned singer’s love for her Nation, let us look into one of the historic moments of early Independence years when Lata Ji’s voice made the first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru tear up. On India’s 13th Republic Day, on 26th January 1963, Lata Mangeshkar sang ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ in the presence of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan at the National Stadium, New Delhi.  

After the event, she was asked to meet Nehru. She was nervous and thought she had committed some mistake. However, when she met him, he had tears in his eyes and exclaimed to her,  ‘Lata, tumne aaj mujhe rula diya’. According to a report by News 18, after listening to the song, Nehru said, “Those who don’t feel inspired by ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ don’t deserve to be called a Hindustani.”

Cover Photo: When Lata Mangeshkar sang Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo in Jawaharlal Nehru’s presence in 1963. (Image credit: @Prashant4INC/Twitter)
Source: TOI